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Christophe Le Bec

Africa Intelligence journalist Christophe Le Bec heads the Mining and Commodity traders sections.

Spotlight | Africa
African issues set to dominate Commonwealth summit

At the Commonwealth summit at the end of October, an African national is set to take the helm of the body's secretariat. Of the three candidates in play, Ghana's Shirley Botchwey, who enjoys Kenya's support, appears to be the front-runner.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 15.10.2024

Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, in Turkey on 12 March 2022.

In Focus | Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Botswana, the source of most of De Beers's diamonds, is challenging the diamond giant by favouring an Antwerp start-up to cut and market its stones. Meanwhile, its parent company Anglo American has put the group up for sale, to little interest.

Subscribers only Mining 30.09.2024

Spotlight | DRC
Plantations et Huileries du Congo caught up in battle between state and shareholders

This prominent agricultural and industrial company may have bounced back, but the architects of this success, Wale Adeosun and Kalaa Mpinga, who previously worked well together, are now at war. The firm's board has not had its accounts audited since 2021 and has not approved Julia Luhonga's appointment as its chair by the ministry in charge of state assets.

Subscribers only Business 13.06.2024

Nigeria's Wale Adeosun and the DRC's Kalaa Mpinga.

Inner circles | DRC, South Africa
Glencore's reforming boss Nagle emerges from Glasenberg's shadow

The South African boss of the Swiss trading and mining giant is counting on two righthand men and a close-knit new team of managers to usher in a new era and turn the page on old corruption cases.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 19.01.2024

The South African Glencore CEO Gary Nagle.

Spotlight | Angola, DRC
Trafigura and Mota-Engil all set to upgrade Lobito Corridor

The consortium comprising Trafigura, Vecturis and Mota-Engil is hoping to take over the running of the Lobito Corridor railway by 15 January. A deal with the DRC will allow trains to run through to Kolwezi, but there is still a large question mark over the state of the rolling stock.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Mining 15.12.2023

The exit from the port of Lobito, Angola.

In Focus | Morocco
Rabat's secret plan to supply Morocco's future gigafactories with strategic minerals

Battery industry giants, including South Korea's LG and China's Gotion, have announced three major electric vehicle battery plants in Morocco in recent months. But the sourcing of their critical metals remains a major unknown factor.

Subscribers only Mining 30.10.2023

Investment Minister Mohcine Jazouli and Hassan Ouriaghli, head of Al Mada.

Spotlight | Morocco
Cosumar: behind-the-scenes of alliance with French group Sucden

Cosumar is taking advantage of the Singaporean trader's exit from its capital to bring in the Varsano family's French sugar giant. To bolster the group's Moroccan presence, local institutional investors - mutuals and pension funds - will increase their stakes.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Business 24.10.2023

Inner circles | Morocco
OCP Africa boss Mohamed Jamali juggles business and diplomacy

The sub-Saharan branch of the fertiliser giant is struggling to find its footing, with its CEO trying to bump up sales, act as ambassador for Morocco, and support agricultural development all at the same time.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 28.07.2023

Mohamed Anouar Jamali, CEO of OCP Africa.

Spotlight | Guinea
Business partners turn against ex-minister Kanté

Two of his business associates have accused the former mining minister Ahmed Kanté of duping them in order to take control of the promising AGB2A integrated mining project. They also contest a subcontracting agreement signed with China's Sinohydro, which they claim exclusively benefits Kanté.

Subscribers only Mining 07.07.2023

Ahmed Kanté, principal owner of the AGB2A consortium, in October 2013.

Spotlight | Angola
French scepticism douses Lourenço's agricultural fervour

Although they have shown some interest in Angola's agricultural sector, French companies are still holding back. Three months after Emmanuel Macron's visit to Luanda, there have still been no substantial investment commitments.

Subscribers only Politics, Business 22.06.2023

French president Emmanuel Macron and president of Angola Joao Lourenco at the presidential palace in Luanda on 3 March 2023.

In Focus | DRC
Environment minister Eve Bazaiba at loggerheads with Congo's forestry barons

Under pressure from international backers, environment minister Bazaiba is trying to spruce up DRC's forestry sector, long left to its own devices. A dozen Chinese, Congolese and European companies are in breach of existing regulations.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 19.06.2023

Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba, Congolese General Gabriel Amisi and Mongala Governor César Limbaya.

Spotlight | DRC, United States
Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

KaLeigh Long, a former lobbyist from Oklahoma, has turned her hand to refining battery metals. Her contacts within the Republican establishment have helped her raise funds to build a plant in her home state. And her connections in Kinshasa have enabled her to forge crucial links for sourcing ore.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 02.06.2023

Westwin Elements CEO KaLeigh Long at the Cobalt Congress 2023.

Guinea
Doumbouya plans to reallocate Zogota iron to Indian tycoon Jindal

To supply his steel mills, India's Naveen Jindal has set his sights on the Zogota deposit in Guinea, whose licence quietly fell back into state hands last year. The junta leader is backing the plan, and Niron Metals, the site's official owner, has given up all hope of developing the project.

Subscribers only Mining 21.04.2023

The head of the ruling junta in Guinea, Mamadi Doumbouya.

Spotlight | Central Africa
Pressure mounts on CEMAC to relax foreign exchange rules

The main foreign investors in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa are alarmed by the regional body's foreign exchange regulations, considering them to be too tough. But despite intense lobbying, a relaxation of the rules looks unlikely, the central bank having set itself ambitious objectives for foreign currency reserves.

Subscribers only Energy, Mining, Commodity traders 17.03.2023

Abbas Mahamat Tolli, governor of the Bank of Central African States, in Paris in 2018.

Spotlight | Guinea
The $500m stand-off developing over Simandou

The two consortia involved in the Simandou iron ore project seem to be reluctant to pledge the $500m sought by the construction groups to restart the rail construction work that was stopped in 2022. These uncertainties are fuelling renewed tensions.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Mining 14.03.2023

Inner circles | Guinea
Junta leader Doumbouya keeps close eye on flourishing state-owned Soguipami

The revenues of the company that manages the state's mining interests have increased significantly, particularly in the bauxite sector, and it is now directly selling some of the minerals it extracts, in particular to the Chinese.

Free access Mining, Commodity traders 10.03.2023

In Focus | Ivory Coast
Loïc Folloroux, son of Ivorian first lady and behind-the-scenes cocoa trader

Loïc Folloroux, the son of Ivory Coast first lady Dominique Ouattara and owner of Africa Sourcing, has been an effective advocate and a major beneficiary of regulations favouring local players in the country's vital cocoa trade.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 30.01.2023

The discreet businessman Loïc Folloroux, son of First Lady Dominique Ouattara, has established himself in recent decades as the leading local bean trader.

Spotlight | Guinea
Mines minister settles scores with one of his top officials

Mines minister Moussa Magassouba has called for legal action to be taken against national mines director Ousmane Kaba. The affair has brought to light the power struggle taking place between the minister and his top officials, who were appointed by the junta and prime minister without his approval.

Subscribers only Mining 11.01.2023

Inner circles | DRC
Gécamines boss Kaputo Kalubi stymied by political interference

The close political and financial scrutiny of the DRC's state-owned mining firm is hobbling its efforts to develop Katanga's natural resources, and its new management team has been unable to carry out the necessary restructuring.

Subscribers only Mining 02.12.2022

Gécamines headquarters in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, on the 16th January 2021.

Spotlight | Mali
Western companies brace for a hit as Bamako launches gold mining audit

The Malian government just launched an audit of the country's gold mining sector. Although the Canadian and Australian companies which dominate the sector are not expecting to be expropriated for the benefit of the Wagner group, they do predict the state will seek a greater share of their revenues.

Subscribers only Mining 09.11.2022

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Libya
From Tripoli to Benghazi, Turkish trader BGN's oil odyssey

Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Christophe Le Bec

Spotlight | Africa
African issues set to dominate Commonwealth summit

In Focus | Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Spotlight | DRC
Plantations et Huileries du Congo caught up in battle between state and shareholders

Inner circles | DRC, South Africa
Glencore's reforming boss Nagle emerges from Glasenberg's shadow

Spotlight | Angola, DRC
Trafigura and Mota-Engil all set to upgrade Lobito Corridor

In Focus | Morocco
Rabat's secret plan to supply Morocco's future gigafactories with strategic minerals

Spotlight | Morocco
Cosumar: behind-the-scenes of alliance with French group Sucden

Inner circles | Morocco
OCP Africa boss Mohamed Jamali juggles business and diplomacy

Spotlight | Guinea
Business partners turn against ex-minister Kanté

Spotlight | Angola
French scepticism douses Lourenço's agricultural fervour

In Focus | DRC
Environment minister Eve Bazaiba at loggerheads with Congo's forestry barons

Spotlight | DRC, United States
Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

Guinea
Doumbouya plans to reallocate Zogota iron to Indian tycoon Jindal

Spotlight | Central Africa
Pressure mounts on CEMAC to relax foreign exchange rules

Spotlight | Guinea
The $500m stand-off developing over Simandou

Inner circles | Guinea
Junta leader Doumbouya keeps close eye on flourishing state-owned Soguipami

In Focus | Ivory Coast
Loïc Folloroux, son of Ivorian first lady and behind-the-scenes cocoa trader

Spotlight | Guinea
Mines minister settles scores with one of his top officials

Inner circles | DRC
Gécamines boss Kaputo Kalubi stymied by political interference

Spotlight | Mali
Western companies brace for a hit as Bamako launches gold mining audit

Refine your search

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Libya From Tripoli to Benghazi, Turkish trader BGN's oil odyssey

Senegal Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

East Africa's hotly contested coffee sector

Transition: what's next after the coup?

Christophe Le Bec

Spotlight | Africa African issues set to dominate Commonwealth summit

In Focus | Botswana, South Africa From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Spotlight | DRC Plantations et Huileries du Congo caught up in battle between state and shareholders

Inner circles | DRC, South Africa Glencore's reforming boss Nagle emerges from Glasenberg's shadow

Spotlight | Angola, DRC Trafigura and Mota-Engil all set to upgrade Lobito Corridor

In Focus | Morocco Rabat's secret plan to supply Morocco's future gigafactories with strategic minerals

Spotlight | Morocco Cosumar: behind-the-scenes of alliance with French group Sucden

Inner circles | Morocco OCP Africa boss Mohamed Jamali juggles business and diplomacy

Spotlight | Guinea Business partners turn against ex-minister Kanté

Spotlight | Angola French scepticism douses Lourenço's agricultural fervour

In Focus | DRC Environment minister Eve Bazaiba at loggerheads with Congo's forestry barons

Spotlight | DRC, United States Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

Guinea Doumbouya plans to reallocate Zogota iron to Indian tycoon Jindal

Spotlight | Central Africa Pressure mounts on CEMAC to relax foreign exchange rules

Spotlight | Guinea The $500m stand-off developing over Simandou

Inner circles | Guinea Junta leader Doumbouya keeps close eye on flourishing state-owned Soguipami

In Focus | Ivory Coast Loïc Folloroux, son of Ivorian first lady and behind-the-scenes cocoa trader

Spotlight | Guinea Mines minister settles scores with one of his top officials

Inner circles | DRC Gécamines boss Kaputo Kalubi stymied by political interference

Spotlight | Mali Western companies brace for a hit as Bamako launches gold mining audit

Refine your search

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Libya
From Tripoli to Benghazi, Turkish trader BGN's oil odyssey

Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Spotlight | Africa
African issues set to dominate Commonwealth summit

In Focus | Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Spotlight | DRC
Plantations et Huileries du Congo caught up in battle between state and shareholders

Inner circles | DRC, South Africa
Glencore's reforming boss Nagle emerges from Glasenberg's shadow

Spotlight | Angola, DRC
Trafigura and Mota-Engil all set to upgrade Lobito Corridor

In Focus | Morocco
Rabat's secret plan to supply Morocco's future gigafactories with strategic minerals

Spotlight | Morocco
Cosumar: behind-the-scenes of alliance with French group Sucden

Inner circles | Morocco
OCP Africa boss Mohamed Jamali juggles business and diplomacy

Spotlight | Guinea
Business partners turn against ex-minister Kanté

Spotlight | Angola
French scepticism douses Lourenço's agricultural fervour

In Focus | DRC
Environment minister Eve Bazaiba at loggerheads with Congo's forestry barons

Spotlight | DRC, United States
Oklahoma cobalt refiner eyes DRC's natural resources

Guinea
Doumbouya plans to reallocate Zogota iron to Indian tycoon Jindal

Spotlight | Central Africa
Pressure mounts on CEMAC to relax foreign exchange rules

Spotlight | Guinea
The $500m stand-off developing over Simandou

Inner circles | Guinea
Junta leader Doumbouya keeps close eye on flourishing state-owned Soguipami

In Focus | Ivory Coast
Loïc Folloroux, son of Ivorian first lady and behind-the-scenes cocoa trader

Spotlight | Guinea
Mines minister settles scores with one of his top officials

Inner circles | DRC
Gécamines boss Kaputo Kalubi stymied by political interference

Spotlight | Mali
Western companies brace for a hit as Bamako launches gold mining audit